Wicklow County Childcare

18/06/2026

's never too early to start preparing for the school year ahead. Check out Let’s get Ready for helpful information on getting ready for school.

👉 www.gov.ieLetsGetReady

18/06/2026

📢Today from 2 - 3pm we launch the new Edition of the Parents Plus Early Years Programme

The new programme materials have been updated to adopt a neurodiversity- affirming approach and to address the needs of Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent children, whether they have a formal diagnosis or not, as well as making parent self-care an expanded component of each session.

New content includes

➡️Managing big emotions’ and co-regulation with children.
➡️Parent self-care and self-regulation.
➡️Tuning in to children’s sensory needs.
➡️Adapting responses to meet the individual needs of children and their parents.

Join us to learn more below, and please feel free to share with any colleagues who may also be of interest
https://buff.ly/Alww82S

18/06/2026

18/06/2026

Register here for both sessions: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/updated-aistear-tickets-1992117826044?aff=oddtdtcreator

18/06/2026

DCDE Early Years eBulletin: Summer Edition 2026 / Eagrán an Samhraidh den Ríomhbhullaitín

The e-Bulletin includes updates from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Department of Education and Youth Inspectorate, Pobal, Better Start, Tusla and a focus from Early Childhood Ireland on Garda Vetting: Safeguarding, compliance, and best practice.

Sa ríomhbhullaitín seo, gheobhaidh tú an t-eolas is deireanaí ó Rannán na Luathbhlianta sa Roinn Leanaí, Míchumais agus Comhionannais, ó Roinn Oideachas agus Óige, ó Pobal, ó Tús Níos Fearr, ó Tusla agus Luath-óige Éirean.

Link to e-Bulletin: https://bit.ly/44g059c

18/06/2026

Vacancy for Preschool Teacher

We are looking for a Preschool Teacher to join our small, child-centred, outdoor-focused playschool.

This is a unique opportunity to work closely alongside the Owner/Manager in a dynamic, innovative environment where creativity, initiative, and a genuine love of children are deeply valued.

Why Join Us?

⭐ Awarded EXEMPLARY by the Department of Education – a recognition of the quality of care and education we provide.

🌿 Your voice matters – we encourage educators to make independent decisions, take initiative, and bring their own ideas and creativity to the setting.

🌿 Professional development is part of our ethos – we actively support continuous learning, growth, and career development.

🌿 A beautiful, serene environment – a calm, nurturing space where both children and educators can thrive.

🌿 Small group sizes – allowing for meaningful relationships, responsive teaching, and truly child-centred practice.

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds a minimum QQI Level 5 in Early Childhood Education

• Has excellent communication skills and values working in partnership with parents

• Can assess, plan, and facilitate learning in the moment

• Connects with children through warm, sensitive interactions

• Can link a variety of educational philosophies to the Aistear framework (desirable but not essential)

• Creates enriching experiences through play, art, music, movement, and outdoor learning

• Is creative, proactive, and confident taking initiative

Requirements

• Garda Vetting

• Minimum of two references

If you are passionate about early childhood education and would love to be part of a setting where children, relationships, creativity, and professional growth are at the heart of everything we do, we would love to hear from you.

📧 To apply, contact Aliz Merlics at [email protected]

📞 085 169 9425

16/06/2026

📘 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣. 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹
𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The move from preschool to primary school is one of the most significant milestones in a child’s early years, for children and parents alike.

Children don’t arrive at primary school as blank slates. They bring with them the learning, confidence, relationships and skills they’ve already developed through their Early Years experience. This transition is about building on those strong foundations, not starting from scratch.

To support parents and childcare providers during this important time, the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 ( #𝗡𝗣𝗖) is offering 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 during the week of 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

👶 𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲:
• How to emotionally prepare children for the transition
• Building resilience and confidence
• Strengthening the relationship between parents, providers and children
• Supporting children to feel secure and ready for their next step

🗓 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀
Week beginning 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Each session lasts approximately 𝟳𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀, including live Q&A.

🕰 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀:
• 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺, 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
• 𝟳:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺, 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
• 𝟳:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺, 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟳 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲
• 𝟭𝟬𝗮𝗺, 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲

ℹ️ 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲:
• All sessions cover the same information, choose the time that suits you best
• Sessions are not recorded, to support open and respectful discussion
• We ask all participants to engage respectfully during the session
• Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis

👉 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
https://forms.office.com/e/kitgwpAiZu

Supporting parents, supporting children 💛

16/06/2026

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley - TD has announced €422,000 in development grants for Childminders.

The 2026 Childminding Development Grant supports childminders to purchase toys, childcare equipment, safety equipment, inclusion equipment and materials related to the arts and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths), and reflects the Minister’s ongoing commitment to the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-28.

The full press release can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/press-releases/minister-foley-announces-422000-in-development-grants-for-childminders/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSeD81leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyRVg0MDBpUXpYZWFxRHMxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHm0L3qWKRB_Cm5jL6OTKKX1DmnL4TQrqaudZQJUGJvfzL8FGPK7P85nTpzng_aem_b7EMVug7moAqzCd3_7cAmg

16/06/2026

Did you know? Play is the language of children. It’s how they learn, explore, and make sense of the world around them.

Let’s Play Ireland is an annual government-led campaign designed to remind us all, young and old, of the fundamental importance of play. You can find ideas and resources to support play at home on our website: gov.ie/LetsPlayIreland

Let’s make time to play, every day!